uschamber.com Magazine February 2004

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• Gingrich on Health Care
  Exclusive interview with Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on health care.
• SBA Loans Face Restrictions
  Lack of a final budget and overwhelming demand for loans led the SBA to suspend its popular 7(a) loan guarantee program. While that program has since been reinstated, the U.S. Chamber is now working with SBA and Congress to restore it to full capacity.
• Employee Benefits Averaged $18,000 in 2002
  Despite having to absorb steep cost increases, employers continue providing generous benefits to their employees, according to the results of the U.S. Chamber's 2003 Employee Benefits Study underwritten by American International Group, Inc. (AIG).
• File Taxes Electronically and Save
  Transferring employee withholdings electronically not only eliminates 90% of errors and reduces the risk of penalties, but it may also mean tax penalty abatements for business owners.
• Litigation Madness
  The U.S. tort system cost $233 billion in 2002. This 13% increase is the largest jump in American history. And this means that mounting expenses due to litigation, lawyers, and settlements cost citizens, on average, $809.
• Should Your Business Convert to a Limited Liability Company?
  Over the past 10 years, limited liability companies (LLCs) have substantially replaced general partnerships, corporations, and other traditional entities as the entities of choice for business start-ups.
• Converting Your Corporation to an LLC
  How to convert your corporation to an LLC.
• 'Living Wage' Laws Hurt Small Business
  So-called "living wage" ordinances are sweeping the country, and wherever they are adopted small businesses are suffering.
• Bringing International Trade To Small Business
  TradeRoots, the U.S. Chamber's trade education program, has launched an aggressive grassroots initiative to help small businesses take advantage of newly signed international trade agreements and educate them about overseas economic opportunities.
• Tech Tools: Keep Your Cell Phone Number: Retain It Even When You Switch Providers
  Changing cell phone numbers can be a hassle. a recent ruling by the Federal Communications Commission will help alleviate this problem by allowing cell phone users to take an active cell number to a new provider.
• Achieving Long-Term Growth:Chamber Advances Eight-Step Plan
  The U.S. economy is gathering strength and the state of American business is much better today than it was a year ago, according to the U.S. Chamber and outside speakers at the "State of American Business" conference held at Chamber headquarters January 7.
• ECON 101: Surging U.S. Economy Promises More Jobs
  After seeing third quarter GDP numbers and monthly reports through December 2003, we can report that economic growth surged well above its potential and has become much better balanced.
• Face Off: Priorities for Congress? House Leaders Lay Out Agendas
  Rep. Dennis J. Hastert (R-IL) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) lay out agendas for the House of Representatives.
• Small Business Matters: Financing Your Business Finding a Lender
  For a small business owner in search of a loan, finding a willing lender, even when you are properly prepared, can be tedious and time-consuming. To be successful, approach multiple institutions simultaneously and don't be deterred by rejection.
• Success Insight: Seasonal Success All Year-Round
  Tom and Carol Misfeldt own Ranch Oak Farm, a smoked meats mail order and retail company. Soon after expanding the business and investing capital to improve operations, they discovered the extremely seasonal nature of the company's sales.
• Working For You: Joe Rubin: Taking Charge of Congress
  Joe Rubin, senior director of congressional and public affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, worked day and night to win passage of small business-friendly legislation.